Everything you could want to know about Square One

Square One opened on January 5, 2011. It was started by a team of experienced professionals who, after years of working in the insurance industry, recognized that traditional home insurance wasn’t meeting the needs of most Canadians. Most industries – from telecommunications to electronics to banking – have evolved in the last 20 years. The home insurance industry, on the other hand, hasn’t changed since the 1970s.

Without the burden of antiquated processes and systems, Square One has developed an entirely new home insurance policy designed to meet the needs of Canadians today. The company went one step further and eliminated all unnecessary complexities built into traditional policies so that it would be both convenient and easy for people to personalize their policies. It sells and services all policies by phone and online from its head office in Vancouver, British Columbia. This allows the company to keep its overhead costs low, so it can pass on the savings to its customers. Learn more about how we’re shaking things up by visiting our company blog.

Square One is a licensed insurance agency in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Listed below are the regulators that oversee Square One’s operations. To validate its licenses are in good standing, click on the appropriate regulator’s name.

It’s important to note that we are an insurance agency, not an insurance brokerage. Often the terms “agency” and “brokerage” are used interchangeably, but there are differences. Generally speaking, an insurance agency sells insurance on behalf of one underwriter. Insurance brokerages, on the other hand, sell insurance on behalf of many different underwriters. We like to think of agents as specialists who focus on a single product, while brokers are generalists selling many different products. Since Square One does not represent multiple underwriters, it’s not a member of any provincial insurance brokers’ associations.

It’s also important to note that Square One is authorized to issue, bill and service policies on behalf of its home insurance underwriter. If you’re interested, you can download a copy of the letter that outlines Square One’s authority.

Take a virtual tour of our head office

As mentioned earlier, all sales and service support is provided by phone and online from the company’s head office in Vancouver, British Columbia. By keeping these functions centralized, we can keep costs low and pass on savings to you. (Please note that Square One uses local claims adjusters and vendors who are based in the communities they serve.)

If you’re interested, you can take a virtual tour of our head office below.